Are You a Binge Eater?

In a recent problem of the Harvard Mental Wellness Letter, I read a feature post about the remedy of bulimia and binge consuming.

Bulimia is defined as 2 or a lot more episodes of binge eating (consuming a huge quantity of food in two hours or less) at least twice a week for 3 months.

These episodes might be followed by vomiting or purging (with laxatives or diuretics) and could alternate with fasting and compulsive exercising.

Folks who suffer from bulimia usually view this behavior as a shameful secret.

Binge Eating Disorder (binging that is not followed by vomiting, fasting or physical exercise) has gotten more interest not too long ago since it is getting deemed for inclusion as a psychiatric diagnosis.

The criteria are tentatively listed as a situation that causes significant distress with at least 3 of the following signs and symptoms occurring at least 2 days a week for 6 months:

eating extremely quick

eating until uncomfortably full

consuming when not hungry

consuming alone

feeling disgusted or guilty afterward

Given that most of the population has most likely engaged in these consuming behaviors at one particular time or one more, I guess it comes down to the frequency and severity of the issue.

You can be a binge eater, but you would have to be binging very routinely to be viewed as to have Binge Consuming Disorder.